This Week&#039;s Amazing Sky Blog[description]https://www.almanac.com/
en[field_blog_topic]https://www.almanac.com/%5Bfield_photo_1%5DThis Week&#039;s Amazing Sky Bloghttps://www.almanac.com/
The Old Farmer's AlmanacAlmanac.comMon, 17 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0500Mon, 17 Dec 2018 18:32:33 -0500The Star of Bethlehemhttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/star-bethlehem
Was the Star of Bethlehem a real celestial body or a miraculous vision? Astronomer Bob Berman discusses the prevailing theories and adds his own thoughts into the mix.
Star of Wonder?
Each holiday season, planetariums present their “Star of Wonder” show, which offers astronomical explanations for one of the most famous stars of all—the Star of Bethlehem, or Christmas Star. This is the star that the wise men from the East followed to Jerusalem in the nativity story of the Gospel of Matthew.
The... <a href="/blog/astronomy/astronomy/star-bethlehem" class="views-more-link">more</a>skymanbob@aol.com (Bob Berman)Astronomyhttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/star-bethlehemhttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/star-bethlehemMon, 17 Dec 18 00:00:00 -0500This Week&#039;s Amazing Sky BlogThe Star of BethlehemBob BermanWeird Science! Seven Strange Science Factshttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/weird-science-seven-strange-science-facts
Let’s do something different, and mix sky-stuff with weird science! Ready? Here are seven strange science facts—about everything under the Sun from rainbows to our reflection in mirrors!
Number 1. A rainbow has no independent reality. Sunlight and raindrops are not enough to create one. An observer is necessary for its existence, by standing exactly where the 42-degree refraction geometry gets completed. One bit of evidence that they’re not real is that rainbows not only cannot cast shadows,... <a href="/blog/astronomy/astronomy/weird-science-seven-strange-science-facts" class="views-more-link">more</a>skymanbob@aol.com (Bob Berman)Astronomyhttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/weird-science-seven-strange-science-factshttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/weird-science-seven-strange-science-factsSun, 16 Dec 18 00:00:00 -0500This Week&#039;s Amazing Sky BlogWeird Science! Seven Strange Science FactsBob BermanWhat Exactly is Twilight? The Three Different Types. https://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/what-exactly-twilight-three-different-types
Twilight. The word evokes gorgeous colors. But what exactly is twilight? And did you know that there are three types? The Old Farmer’s Almanac now has a calculator that will tell you when twilight begins and ends for your location. Get ready for adventures in the Twilight Zone.
That famous TV show would not have been a hit on Pluto. In fact, creatures on any known planet would be amazed by the unique twilight we Earthlings take for granted. Our world alone experiences the luxuriant palette of... <a href="/blog/astronomy/astronomy/what-exactly-twilight-three-different-types" class="views-more-link">more</a>skymanbob@aol.com (Bob Berman)Astronomyhttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/what-exactly-twilight-three-different-typeshttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/what-exactly-twilight-three-different-typesSun, 16 Dec 18 00:00:00 -0500This Week&#039;s Amazing Sky BlogWhat Exactly is Twilight? The Three Different Types. Bob Berman2018’s Brightest Comet Comes Closest to Earth December 16https://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/2018s-brightest-comet-comes-closest-earth-december-16
Comet 46P/Wirtanen is 2018’s brightest comet and comes closest to Earth on December 15–16, 2018—this weekend! As awesome as they can be, you can’t trust comets. We can always predict where they’ll be, but not how they will react with the Sun’s energy. So, the question is: Will it be an amazing sight or another bust?
For a short background, Comet 46P/Wirtanen is indeed the brightest comet in the night sky, though it’s been too faint to see with the naked eye thus far. From dark sky sites,... <a href="/blog/astronomy/astronomy/2018s-brightest-comet-comes-closest-earth-december-16" class="views-more-link">more</a>skymanbob@aol.com (Bob Berman)Astronomyhttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/2018s-brightest-comet-comes-closest-earth-december-16https://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/2018s-brightest-comet-comes-closest-earth-december-16Fri, 14 Dec 18 00:00:00 -0500This Week&#039;s Amazing Sky Blog2018’s Brightest Comet Comes Closest to Earth December 16Bob BermanGeminids 2018: How to See the Geminid Meteor Shower December 13https://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/geminids-2018-how-see-geminid-meteor-shower-december-13
The finest meteor shower of 2018—and perhaps the best night sky sight this year—happens on Thursday, December 13. These are the Geminids, the sky’s “Old Faithful.” Their trustworthy one‑a‑minute frequency have created reliable December sparklers for the past century.
Geminid Facts and Oddities
Geminids are much slower than either the famous summer Perseids or the hit‑or‑miss Leonids because they don’t strike us head‑on. They come at Earth sideways. At 20 miles per second, they lope along at... <a href="/blog/astronomy/astronomy/geminids-2018-how-see-geminid-meteor-shower-december-13" class="views-more-link">more</a>skymanbob@aol.com (Bob Berman)Astronomyhttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/geminids-2018-how-see-geminid-meteor-shower-december-13https://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/geminids-2018-how-see-geminid-meteor-shower-december-13Thu, 13 Dec 18 00:00:00 -0500This Week&#039;s Amazing Sky BlogGeminids 2018: How to See the Geminid Meteor Shower December 13Bob BermanWhy Go to Mars? Water, Life, and Explorationhttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/why-go-mars-water-life-and-exploration
Mars is still brilliant at dinnertime—just as the latest InSight probe has begun sending us revelations from its surface. At this time of year, Mars is one of the sky’s brightest objects between 6:00 and 8:00 PM. Simply look left of where the sun sets for that brilliant orange “star.” You can’t miss it. We keep sending landers there, and interest in Martian colonies remains high—but why?
True, Mars’ super-close visit happened four months ago, in late July, and, also true, our own planet keeps... <a href="/blog/astronomy/astronomy/why-go-mars-water-life-and-exploration" class="views-more-link">more</a>catherineb@yankeepub.com (Catherine Boeckmann)Astronomyhttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/why-go-mars-water-life-and-explorationhttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/why-go-mars-water-life-and-explorationFri, 30 Nov 18 10:51:59 -0500This Week&#039;s Amazing Sky BlogWhy Go to Mars? Water, Life, and ExplorationCatherine BoeckmannWhen Is the Darkest Time of the Year?https://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/when-darkest-time-year
Did you know that early December is when the darkest days of the year occur? It’s a major winter milestone: the days of our earliest sunsets.
This puzzles people, but in fact it’s a reliable yearly sequence. First comes the earliest sunset, in early December. Then there’s the winter solstice half a month later on December 21, the day with the fewest minutes of daylight. Finally, another two weeks later, in early January, we get our murkiest morning—the latest sunrise.
So we’re now slam bang at... <a href="/blog/astronomy/astronomy/when-darkest-time-year" class="views-more-link">more</a>skymanbob@aol.com (Bob Berman)Astronomyhttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/when-darkest-time-yearhttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/when-darkest-time-yearThu, 29 Nov 18 00:00:00 -0500This Week&#039;s Amazing Sky BlogWhen Is the Darkest Time of the Year?Bob BermanHow to See Orion: The Hunter Constellationhttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/how-see-orion-hunter-constellation
In December, many people start to notice Orion the Hunter in the night sky. It’s one of the most famous constellations—seen by everyone on Earth! Learn more about Orion—and get viewing tips.
What is Orion the Hunter Constellation?
Step out anytime after 9 P.M. and you’ll see Orion appearing over your eastern horizon. Look around for anything bright! The first thing you’ll notice is Orion and its famous belt, those three-stars-in-a-row. They float in a very special space. Orion’s belt sits... <a href="/blog/astronomy/astronomy/how-see-orion-hunter-constellation" class="views-more-link">more</a>skymanbob@aol.com (Bob Berman)Astronomyhttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/how-see-orion-hunter-constellationhttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/how-see-orion-hunter-constellationFri, 09 Nov 18 00:00:00 -0500This Week&#039;s Amazing Sky BlogHow to See Orion: The Hunter ConstellationBob BermanChina Plans to Launch Artificial Moon and Eliminate Nighthttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/china-plans-launch-artificial-moon-and-eliminate-night
As you may have heard, China announced that their artificial Moon will be launched in 2020. No more night! Yes, they’re abolishing full darkness. It’s a bad idea but not a new one.
The idea is an enormous 80 foot mirror placed into a geosynchronous orbit where it will remain glued to the same spot in the sky. From its altitude of 22,300 miles it will focus sunlight onto the city of Chengdu in southwestern China. That city of 14 million people will then be continually illuminated. No more night... <a href="/blog/astronomy/astronomy/china-plans-launch-artificial-moon-and-eliminate-night" class="views-more-link">more</a>skymanbob@aol.com (Bob Berman)Astronomyhttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/china-plans-launch-artificial-moon-and-eliminate-nighthttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/china-plans-launch-artificial-moon-and-eliminate-nightWed, 31 Oct 18 00:00:00 -0400This Week&#039;s Amazing Sky BlogChina Plans to Launch Artificial Moon and Eliminate NightBob BermanWhat is a Black Moon?https://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/what-black-moon
A lot of media hype surrounds Moon names, such as “Blood Moon” and “Blue Moon,” but have you ever heard of a “Black Moon”? Here’s an explanation of this ominous-sounding name.
What is a Black Moon?
Like “Blood Moon” and “Blue Moon,” “Black Moon” is not an astronomical term. In fact, if you ask a sample of astronomers, both professional and amateur, very few will have even heard of it. It’s not even a particularly widely known folklore thing.
As for its definition, some people say it’s a “Black... <a href="/blog/astronomy/astronomy/what-black-moon" class="views-more-link">more</a>almanaceditors@yankeepub.com (Almanac Staff)Astronomyhttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/what-black-moonhttps://www.almanac.com/blog/astronomy/astronomy/what-black-moonMon, 29 Oct 18 00:00:00 -0400This Week&#039;s Amazing Sky BlogWhat is a Black Moon?Almanac Staff